SHAKESPEARE AND PSYCHOGNOSIS 239 



which prove too alluring for his friends. But he suffers with them for keeping bad 

 company. In the last scene Prospero commands Ariel to set Caliban and his com- 

 panions free. Caliban, upon seeing Prospero and the strange lords, admires them, 

 and believes them spirits. He fears punishment. 



Prospero describes CaHban's origin, but ends by saying: "This thing of darkness 

 I acknowledge mine." Caliban fears greatly. Alonso, pointing to Caliban, says: 

 "This is as strange a thing as e'er I looked on;" to which Prospero replies: "He is 

 as disproportioned in his manners as in his shape," and orders Caliban to his cell to 

 work. There is no possible salvation for Caliban but in work ; and even in this ideal 

 time of general joy, power, and forgiveness, Caliban must be made to work, which 

 he would never do of his own free will. 



But Caliban's last speech is one of the most extraordinary facts to be weighed 

 in connection with this wonderful monster. 

 Prospero says: 



"Go, sirrah, to my cell: 

 Take with you your companions: as you look 

 To have my pardon, trim it handsomely." 

 Caliban is very much afraid of punishment. But in earlier differences with his mas- 

 ter no fear had checked his curses and vile wishes. Caliban has now seen the world 

 for himself; by comparison and solid thinking, founded on his observations, he has 

 discovered the superiority of Prospero. It is certain that the sullen momentum of 

 Caliban will go far to carry him toward any purpose he forms. What he says is: 

 "Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter. 

 And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass 

 Was I, to take this drunkard for a god. 

 And worship this dull fool!" 

 Caliban is the beast; as Antonio is a fiend, and Gonzalo a saint, so Caliban is 

 a beast. But, though animality, sensuality, and all beastliness riot in this great 

 mass of muscles, bones, and blood; though his senses report facts in the most 

 vivid and savage manner; though his powers of generalizing are low and stupid, he 

 like the toad, ugly and venomous, bears yet a precious jewel in his head. And we 

 can form some conception of the means by which experience will bring some wisdom 

 and grace, until the animal energy is further converted into thought. 



Prospero: the Scientific Type 

 Prospero appears in the second, fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth scenes. His 

 first words in scene ii are: 



"Be collected: 

 No more amazement; tell your piteous heart 

 There's no harm done." 

 Miranda's sympathy is deeply stirred by the vessel in the tempest, and she replies: 



